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the immunobiology of the innate response to toxoplasma gondii.toxoplasma gondii is a unique intracellular parasite. it can infect a variety of cells in virtually all warm-blooded animals. it has a worldwide distribution and, overall, around one-third of people are seropositive for the parasite, with essentially the entire human population being at risk of infection. for most people, t. gondii causes asymptomatic infection but the parasite can cause serious disease in the immunocompromised and, if contracted for the first time during pregnancy, can cause sp ...200918775432
spinal cryptococcoma in an immunocompetent cat.this report describes an unusual case of primary cryptococcoma in the proximal thoracic spinal cord of an 11-year-old immunocompetent cat from a farm on which there were large numbers of pigeons. this animal was referred for examination with progressive paralysis and shown to be free from feline immunodeficiency virus, feline leukaemia virus, feline coronavirus and toxoplasma gondii. it died 2 months later. at necropsy, the only lesion detected was a malacic area, 4cm in length, in the spinal co ...200818783789
frequency and risk factors for toxoplasmosis in ovines of various regions of the state of colima, mexico.infection of ewes by toxoplasma gondii may induce abortions, thus it has consequences for sheep production. colima, western state of mexico, has favourable climatic conditions for transmission and both domestic and wild cats live there. the aim of this study was to determine the frequency of specific antibodies in sheep from the coast, a mountain, and a hill of colima. serum samples from 351 sheep were tested by a previously standardized indirect elisa. the frequency of infection was estimated a ...200818801208
prevention of shedding and re-shedding of toxoplasma gondii oocysts in experimentally infected cats treated with oral clindamycin: a preliminary study.this work aimed to evaluate the effects of preventive oral clindamycin in cats infected with toxoplasma gondii. twelve short hair cats were divided into two groups (group 1 and group 2). no titres of t. gondii antibodies were detected in these cats before the experiment. the animals from group 1 were infected with tissue cysts of t. gondii and group 2 were infected and treated with clindamycin (20 mg/kg/day). the infection was done with almost 40-50 tissue cysts for each cat on day 0. the cats f ...200918811675
fatal toxoplasmosis in sand cats (felis margarita).the sand cat (felis margarita) is a small-sized felid occurring in the united arab emirates (uae). the sand cat captive-breeding program at the breeding centre for endangered arabian wildlife in sharjah, uae, has until recently been severely compromised by very high newborn mortality rates. two different pairs of sand cats gave birth, respectively, to one and two litters (with a total of eight kittens) between 1999 and 2006. seven out of eight kittens died between the third and 21st wk of life. ...200818816998
toxoplasma gondii infection in pregnant women in china.infection with toxoplasma gondii is common and usually asymptomatic, but it can have serious consequences in pregnant women if passed to the developing fetus. the aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women and to identify the possible risk factors associated with t. gondii infection in china. of a sample of 235 pregnant women in changchun, china, 25 (10.6%) were found by elisa to be positive for igg and none (0%) for igm. major risk factors were found ...200918822439
prevalence of toxoplasma gondii in stray cats of gyeonggi-do, korea.toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular zoonotic protozoan with a worldwide distribution. it infects humans as well as a broad spectrum of vertebrate hosts. cats and wild felidae play crucial roles in the epidemiology of toxoplasmosis. this study was performed to survey the prevalence of t. gondii infection among stray cats in the gyeonggi-do, republic of korea. a total of 174 stray cat blood samples were collected from gwacheon-si (n=20), bucheon-si (82), and yangju-si (72). positive ser ...200818830064
isolation of toxoplasma gondii from the keel-billed toucan (ramphastos sulfuratus) from costa rica.pectoral muscles from a captive keel-billed toucan (ramphastos sulfuratus) from costa rica were fed to a toxoplasma gondii-free cat, and the cat shed oocysts. laboratory mice fed these oocysts developed antibodies to t. gondii in their sera and t. gondii tissue cysts in their brains. the dna extracted from the brains of infected mice was characterized using 10 polymerase chain reaction-restricted fragment length polymorphic markers (sag1, sag2, sag3, btub, gra6, c22-8, c29-2, l358, pk1, and apic ...200918847295
direct high-resolution genotyping of toxoplasma gondii in arctic foxes (vulpes lagopus) in the remote arctic svalbard archipelago reveals widespread clonal type ii lineage.characterization of toxoplasma gondii genotypes in hosts living in remote, isolated regions is important for elucidating the population structure and transmission mode of this parasite. herein, we report the results of direct genotyping of t. gondii in brain tissue of arctic foxes (vulpes lagopus) from the remote, virtually cat-free, high arctic islands of svalbard. dna extracts from brains of 167 seropositive arctic foxes (including four cases of fatal toxoplasmosis) and 11 seronegative arctic ...200818922642
isolation of toxoplasma gondii from animals in durango, mexico.little is known concerning the epidemiology of toxoplasma gondii infection in people and animals in rural mexico. serum samples and tissues from 150 dogs (canis familaris), 150 cats (felis catus), 65 opossums (didelphis virginianus), 249 rats (rattus spp.), 127 mice (mus musculus), and 69 squirrels (spermophilus variegatus) from the durango area were evaluated for t. gondii infection. using a modified agglutination test and a serum dilution of 1:25, antibodies to this parasite were found in 68 ( ...200918925790
specific ige to allergens in cord blood is associated with maternal immunity to toxoplasma gondii and rubella virus.various studies have found reduced prevalences of atopic sensitization and atopic diseases in children previously exposed to infections or living conditions with a high microbial burden, such as the farming environment.200818925886
seroprevalence and epidemiological correlates of toxoplasma gondii infections among patients referred for hospital-based serological testing in doha, qatar.abstract:200818937857
toxoplasma-safe meat: close to reality?in 2008, the centennial of the discovery of toxoplasma gondii was celebrated. however, toxoplasmosis is still seen as a neglected and underreported disease, despite having a disease burden similar to that of salmonellosis and campylobacteriosis. human vaccines are not available and current antiparasitic treatment is disappointing. this has led to an urge to focus more on prevention. food, soil or water contaminated with oocysts from cat faeces and undercooked meat from infected intermediate host ...200918951847
toxoplasma gondii: uptake and survival of oocysts in free-living amoebae.waterborne transmission of the oocyst stage of toxoplasma gondii can cause outbreaks of clinical toxoplasmosis in humans and infection of marine mammals. in water-related environments and soil, free-living amoebae are considered potential carriers of various pathogens, but knowledge on interactions with parasitic protozoa remains elusive. in the present study, we assessed whether the free-living acanthamoeba castellanii, due to its phagocytic activity, can interact with t. gondii oocysts. we rep ...200918992742
detection of toxoplasma gondii in cats by comparing bioassay in mice and polymerase chain reaction (pcr).feline toxoplasmosis can usually be diagnosed by serological and coprological methods. however, when the interpretation of results is difficult, it becomes necessary to rely on the direct detection of the parasite. in this study, samples of brain from 64 toxoplasma-seropositive cats were subjected to direct detection of toxoplasma gondii by bioassay in mice and nested-pcr. t. gondii was isolated by bioassay in mice in 41 (64%) cases, and nested-pcr was positive in 37 (57.8%) cases (p>0.05). the ...200919038500
toxoplasmosis in bennett's wallabies (macropus rufogriseus) in spain.toxoplasmosis is one of the more common parasitic zoonoses world-wide. in this study, an epizootic of toxoplasmosis among captive bennett's wallabies (macropus rufogriseus) from different locations is reported. by means of light microscopy, toxoplasma gondii-like tachyzoites were observed associated to interstitial pneumonia, non-suppurative myocarditis, cholangiohepatitis and severe gastroenteritis. the protozoa stained positively with a t. gondii antibody and ultrastructurally were similar to ...200919046816
erythrophagocytic low-grade extranodal t-cell lymphoma in a cat.a 13-year-old male castrated domestic shorthair cat was presented to the referring veterinarian with a 2-month history of weight loss and lethargy. splenomegaly, hepatomegaly, nonregenerative anemia, neutropenia, and hyperbilirubinemia were noted. results of testing for feline immunodeficiency virus, feline leukemia virus, toxoplasma gondii, and mycoplasma sp. were negative. on cytologic examination of aspirates from the enlarged spleen and liver, a population of erythrophagocytic round cells wa ...200819055577
[toxoplasma gondii, an unusual organism with the human as "intermediate host"]. 200819058716
seroprevalence of toxoplasma gondii and bartonella spp. antibodies in cats from pennsylvania.toxoplasma gondii and bartonella spp. are zoonotic pathogens of cats. in the present study, the prevalence of antibodies to t. gondii and bartonella spp. were determined in sera from 210 domestic cats from bensalem, pennsylvania. using a modified agglutination test, antibodies to t. gondii were found in 41 (19.5%) of the 210 cats with titers of 1:25 in 4, 1:50 in 9, 1:100 in 7, 1:200 in 3, 1:400 in 3, 1:800 in 5, 1:1,600 in 4, and 1:3,200 or higher in 6. for t. gondii, seroprevalence increased w ...200919061304
isolation of toxoplasma gondii from horse meat in egypt.portions of heart, liver, skeletal and diaphragmatic muscles obtained from 150 slaughtered horses at giza-zoo abattoir were used for bioassays in mice and cats. t. gondii tachyzoites were isolated successfully from the peritoneal exudates of the inoculated mice 6-8 days post inoculation with pooled horse tissues. whereas, t. gondii tissue cysts containing bradyzoites were detected in the impression smears of mice brain on the 45th days or more post infection. the oocysts were detected in feces o ...200719070010
prevalence of anti-toxoplasma gondii and anti-neospora caninum antibodies in sheep from mossoró, rio grande do norte, brazil.toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite with a variety of hosts, responsible for reproductive problems and economic losses in sheep flocks. neospora caninum was recently identified and its clinical presentation in sheep is similar to that of toxoplasmosis, which can cause repeated abortions, though less frequently in this species. in order to confirm the prevalence of these agents in the city of mossoró, rio grande do norte, brazil, 409 serum samples from adult sheep (364 females ...200919091473
the history of toxoplasma gondii--the first 100 years.in this paper the history of toxoplasma gondii and toxoplasmosis is reviewed. this protozoan parasite was first discovered in 1908 and named a year later. its medical importance remained unknown until 1939 when t. gondii was identified in tissues of a congenitally infected infant, and veterinary importance became known when it was found to cause abortion storms in sheep in 1957. the discovery of a t. gondii specific antibody test, sabin-feldman dye test in 1948 led to the recognition that t. gon ...200819120791
rodents as shared indicators for zoonotic parasites of carnivores in urban environments.rodents are shared intermediate or paratenic hosts for echinococcus multilocularis, toxocara spp. and toxoplasma gondii, and may serve as valuable indicators for assessing the occurrence and the level of environmental contamination and infection pressure with free-living stages of these zoonotic parasites. we investigated 658 non-commensal rodents for parasite infections in the canton of geneva, switzerland. the prevalence of infection with e. multilocularis was highest in arvicola terrestris ca ...200919154652
landscape, herd management and within-herd seroprevalence of toxoplasma gondii in beef cattle herds from champagne-ardenne, france.toxoplasmosis is the most common parasitic zoonosis worldwide. its prevalence and impact on human health are highly variable geographically. humans may be infected by ingesting oocysts from the environment, or bradyzoits contained in meat products from various domestic species, thus data on the dynamics of toxoplasmosis in domestic herds is needed. however, few information is available on the factors that determine the level of infection of cattle herds. in this study, we aimed to estimate withi ...200919155137
neuropsychiatric disease and toxoplasma gondii infection.toxoplasma gondii infects approximately 30% of the world's population, but causes overt clinical symptoms in only a small proportion of people. in recent years, the ability of the parasite to manipulate the behaviour of infected mice and rats and alter personality attributes of humans has been reported. furthermore, a number of studies have now suggested t. gondii infection as a risk factor for the development of schizophrenia and depression in humans. as t. gondii forms cysts that are located i ...200919212132
toxoplasma gondii: congenital transmission in a hamster model.the objective of the research was to test the hamster for a model of transmission of congenital toxoplasmosis. a non-invasive method for the diagnosis of pregnancy in hamsters was designed, with a specificity and a sensitivity of 70.2 and 94.7%, respectively (n=168). of 32 females with a chronic toxoplasma infection, 3 transmitted toxoplasma congenitally during their first pregnancy, but not during the subsequent pregnancy. congenital transmission rates of infections initiated during pregnancy w ...200919217907
sexual recombination punctuated by outbreaks and clonal expansions predicts toxoplasma gondii population genetics.the cosmopolitan parasitic pathogen toxoplasma gondii is capable of infecting essentially any warm-blooded vertebrate worldwide, including most birds and mammals, and establishes chronic infections in one-third of the globe's human population. the success of this highly prevalent zoonosis is largely the result of its ability to propagate both sexually and clonally. frequent genetic exchanges via sexual recombination among extant parasite lineages that mix in the definitive felid host produces ne ...200919217909
comparison of indirect fluorescent antibody test and modified agglutination test for detecting toxoplasma gondii immunoglobulin g antibodies in dog and cat.the present study describes the comparison between a modified agglutination test (mat) and the indirect fluorescent antibody test (ifat) for the detection of toxoplasma specific igg antibodies in dog and cat sera. mat showed an "almost perfect" agreement with ifat in detecting positive and negative results in cat sera, where as only a "substantial" agreement was observed in dog sera due to false negative results. differences relative to sample dilution were recorded and serological titres obtain ...200919221795
seroprevalence of toxoplasma gondii infection in stray and household cats in guangzhou, china.the prevalence of anti-toxoplasma gondii specific igg in stray and household cats in guangzhou, china was determined by elisa on serum samples from 206 cats (117 strays and 89 households) and the overall infection rate was 25.24%. the infection rate in stray cats (30.77%) was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than in household cats (17.98%). the rate of infection between male and female cats of both groups was not significantly different (p > or = 0.05), 28.13% versus 32.61% for male and female in ...200919243564
an outbreak of toxoplasmosis in an aviary collection of nicobar pigeons (caloenas nicobaria).three out of 10 nicobar pigeons (caloenas nicobaria) in an aviary collection in south africa were found dead with no presenting clinical symptoms. histological examination of formalin-fixed tissues from all these birds revealed necrotic foci in various visceral organs (liver, spleen, heart, kidney and lungs), plus diffuse pulmonary congestion and oedema with vasculitis. numerous protozoal tachyzoites were present in all organs and there was strong positive immunohistochemical (ihc) labelling of ...200819244825
isolate designation and characterization of toxoplasma gondii isolates from pigs in the united states.pigs are considered to be the most important meat source of toxoplasma gondii for humans in the united states. in the present study, 168 t. gondii isolates (designated tgpgus15-182) from various sources were genotyped using 10 polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (pcr-rflp) markers (sag1, sag2, sag3, btub, gra6, c22-8, c29-2, l358, pk1, and apico). genotyping data from an additional 14 isolates collected from t. gondii-infected pigs in maryland were included for ana ...200919245283
toxoplasmosis in captive dolphins (tursiops truncatus) and walrus (odobenus rosmarus).toxoplasma gondii infection in marine mammals is intriguing and indicative of contamination of the ocean environment and coastal waters with oocysts. toxoplasma gondii infection was detected in captive marine mammals at a sea aquarium in canada. antibodies to t. gondii were found in all 7 bottlenose dolphins (tursiops truncatus) tested. two of these dolphins, as well as a walrus (odobenus rosmarus) at the facility, died. encephalitis and t. gondii tissue cysts were identified in histological sec ...200919245284
risk factors for toxoplasmosis in pigs bred in sicily, southern italy.the aim of the study was to determine the seroprevalence of toxoplasma gondii infection in pigs raised and slaughtered in sicily, southern italy, and to evaluate the risk factors associated with the infection. samples were collected in seven slaughterhouses and on-site on 274 raising farms across sicily, in the period from january 2006 until march 2007. for each sampled pig born and raised in sicily, information was obtained on gender, age, origin, final destination of meat and farm management. ...200919246158
the early years of toxoplasma research: what's past is prologue.in the century since the first description of toxoplasma gondii history and circumstance have led scientists to define this organism in diverse contexts. from its discovery by researchers shaped by early 20th century versions of the germ theory to its more recent roles as an important globally distributed pathogen and a model apicomplexan, our definitions of toxoplasma are as much a reflection of our frame of reference as they are an absolute definition of this organism. although these transform ...200919250939
development of forward genetics in toxoplasma gondii.the development of forward genetics as a functional system in toxoplasma gondii spanned more than three decades from the mid-1970s until now. the initial demonstration of experimental genetics relied on chemically induced drug-resistant mutants that were crossed by co-infecting cats, collecting oocysts, sporulating and hatching progeny in vitro. to capitalise on this, genetic markers were employed to develop linkage maps by tracking inheritance through experimental crosses. in all, three generat ...200919254720
seroprevalence of toxoplasma gondii antibodies in pigs, goats, cattle, dogs and cats in peninsular malaysia.antibodies to the protozoan parasite, toxoplasma gondii were assayed in sera of 200 goats, 100 pigs, 126 cattle from various states of malaysia, and 135 dogs and 55 cats around ipoh region using an indirect fluorescence antibody test (ifat, cut-off titer 1:200); antibodies were found in 35.5% of goats, 14.5% cats, 9.6% dogs, 7.9% local cattle and 4% yellow cattle but not in pigs. results indicate that infection is most prevalent in goats.200819287367
coinfection of leptospira spp and toxoplasma gondii among stray dogs in bangkok, thailand.leptospirosis and toxoplasmosis are zoonotic diseases with global importance. asymptomatic animals harboring these pathogens may act as carriers to other animals including humans. the objective of this study was to investigate the seroprevalence of leptospira and toxoplasma infections in stray dogs in bangkok. a total of 230 stray dogs from monasteries in a bangkok district were examined for specific antibodies to t. gondii and leptospira. the seroprevalence of t. gondii was determined by a modi ...200919323009
waterborne toxoplasmosis--recent developments.humans become infected with toxoplasma gondii mainly by ingesting uncooked meat containing viable tissue cysts or by ingesting food or water contaminated with oocysts from the feces of infected cats. circumstantial evidence suggests that oocyst-induced infections in humans are clinically more severe than tissue cyst-acquired infections. until recently, waterborne transmission of t. gondii was considered uncommon, but a large human outbreak linked to contamination of a municipal water reservoir i ...201019324041
the evolution of the knowledge of cat and dog coccidia.before the discovery of toxoplasma gondii as a coccidium of the cat in 1970, cat and dog coccidia were classified in the genus isospora and considered of little clinical or zoonotic significance. since 1970, several new (hammondia sp., neospora sp.) and previously described species, including sarcocystis, besnoitia, and cryptosporidium have been found as coccidians of cats and dogs with clinical and zoonotic significance. in the present paper i review salient features of the evolution of cat and ...200919366482
seroprevalence of toxoplasma gondii in nazaret town, ethiopia.to determine the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis, assess its zoonotic importance and identify factors associated with seroprevalence.200819374326
seroprevalence of toxoplasma gondii and concurrent bartonella spp., feline immunodeficiency virus, and feline leukemia virus infections in cats from grenada, west indies.toxoplasma gondii and bartonella spp. are zoonotic pathogens of cats. feline immunodeficiency virus (fiv) and feline leukemia virus (felv) are related to human immunodeficiency virus, and human leukemia virus, respectively; all of these viruses are immunosuppressive. in the present study, the prevalence of antibodies to t. gondi, bartonella spp., fiv, as well as felv antigen were determined in sera from 75 domestic and 101 feral cats (felis catus) from the caribbean island of grenada, west indie ...200919385716
isolation and characterization of viable toxoplasma gondii isolates revealed possible high frequency of mixed infection in feral cats ( felis domesticus) from st kitts, west indies.cats are essential in the epidemiology of toxoplasma gondii because they are the only hosts that can excrete the environmentally resistant oocysts in nature. samples of serum, feces, and tissues from feral cats from st kitts, west indies were examined for t. gondii infection. antibodies to t. gondii were assayed by the modified agglutination test, and found in 71 of 96 (73.9%) of cats with titres of 1:10 in six, 1: 20 in six,1:40 in seven,1: 80 in three, 1: 160 in 10, 1:320 in 13, 1:640 in nine, ...200919402949
polyganglioradiculoneuritis in a young cat: clinical and histopathological findings.an 18-month-old european shorthair cat was presented with a two week history of progressive decrease in consciousness, ambulatory tetraparesis, moderate ataxia and generalised decreased-to-absent postural reactions. bilateral facial and nasal hypalgesia, absent menace response and anisocoria were found, and segmental spinal reflexes were normal. neurological signs progressed to nonambulatory tetraparesis, tremor and spinal hyperalgesia. histopathological examination revealed a mild-to-moderate l ...200919425174
brazilian contribution for a better knowledge on the biology of toxoplasma gondii.historically, scientists in brazil has significantly contributed to the biology, cultivation and structural organization of the pathogenic protozoan toxoplasma gondii and its interaction with host cells, starting with the description of the protozoan by splendore in 1908. the intracellular and extracellular corpuscoli observed in rabbits, corresponded to what we now as tachyzoites. later on, a pioneering method to grow t. gondii in tissue cultures was developed by guimarães and meyer, 1942. they ...200919430636
veterinary vaccines against toxoplasma gondii.toxoplasma gondii has a very wide intermediate host range and is thought to be able to infect all warm blooded animals. the parasite causes a spectrum of different diseases and clinical symptoms within the intermediate hosts and following infection most animals develop adaptive humoral and cell-mediated immune responses. the development of protective immunity to t. gondii following natural infection in many host species has led researchers to look at vaccination as a strategy to control disease, ...200919430650
factors associated with seropositivity for anti-toxoplasma gondii antibodies in pregnant women of londrina, paraná, brazil.the aim of this study was to evaluate associations between seropositivity for igg and igm anti-toxoplasma gondii antibodies and socio-economic and environmental variables in pregnant women of londrina, state of paraná, brazil. we interviewed 492 pregnant women, each of whom answered an epidemiological questionnaire, and collected blood samples for measurement of igg and igm anti-t. gondii antibodies by chemiluminescence. a confirmatory diagnosis of acute infection was made by an igg avidity test ...200919430668
prevalence and risk factors associated to infection by toxoplasma gondii in ovine in the state of alagoas, brazil.the aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of anti-toxoplasma gondii antibodies and to identify risk factors associated to the infection in the three meso-regions of the state of alagoas, brazil. a total count of 23 towns and 27 meat sheep farms were visited where blood samples were collected in order to perform the indirect immunofluorescence test to evaluate the antibodies presence. questionnaires exploring the production system and nutritional, sanitary, and reproduction handling we ...200919468755
toxoplasma seroprevalence in a rural population in france: detection of a household effect.toxoplasma gondii, the agent of toxoplasmosis, has a complex life cycle. in humans, the parasite may be acquired either through ingestion of contaminated meat or through oocysts present in the environment. the importance of each source of contamination varies locally according to the environment characteristics and to differences concerning human eating habits and the presence of cats; thus, the risk factors may be determined through fine-scale studies. here, we searched for factors associated w ...200919476609
review of idiopathic eosinophilic meningitis in dogs and cats, with a detailed description of two recent cases in dogs.eosinophilic meningoencephalitis (eme) has been described in various species of animals and in humans. in dogs it has been associated with protozoal infections, cuterebral myiasis and various other aetiologies. ten cases of idiopathic eosinophilic meningoencephalitis have been reported in dogs and one in a cat where the origin was uncertain or unknown. the dogs were all males, of various breeds but with a predominance of golden retrievers and rottweilers; they generally had a young age of onset. ...200819496320
seroprevalence of human infection with toxoplasma gondii and the associated risk factors, in maiduguri, borno state, nigeria.the prevalence of antibodies (igg) to toxoplasma gondii among 180 adults from the nigerian city of maiduguri was determined as 23.9%, using a commercial elisa. although the men investigated were more likely to be seropositive than the women, the difference was not statistically significant (27.3% v. 19.8%; p>0.05). there was also no apparent association between educational level and seroprevalence. there was a positive correlation between the mean antibody titre and the age of the subjects, with ...200919508749
the ferredoxin-nadp+ reductase/ferredoxin electron transfer system of plasmodium falciparum.in the apicoplast of apicomplexan parasites, plastidic-type ferredoxin and ferredoxin-nadp(+) reductase (fnr) form a short electron transport chain that provides reducing power for the synthesis of isoprenoid precursors. these proteins are attractive targets for the development of novel drugs against diseases such as malaria, toxoplasmosis, and coccidiosis. we have obtained ferredoxin and fnr of both toxoplasma gondii and plasmodium falciparum in recombinant form, and recently we solved the crys ...200919523113
sarcocystis sp. encephalomyelitis in a cat.a 5-month-old male neutered domestic shorthair cat was evaluated for spinal pain, ataxia, and anisocoria. neuroanatomic localization indicated diffuse or multifocal central nervous system disease. on cerebrospinal fluid analysis, neutrophilic pleocytosis and intracellular protozoal merozoites were observed. the merozoites were oval, 2-4 microm in width and 4-6 microm in length, and had linear arrays of nuclear material concentrated at one pole. serum was positive for sarcocystis sp. antibodies a ...201019548967
isolation of toxoplasma gondii from the brain of a dog in australia and its biological and molecular characterization.toxoplasma gondii was isolated from the brain of a young dog for the first time in australia. the identity of the parasite was confirmed by pcr, western blotting, electron microscopy and cat bioassay. genotyping of the isolate (tgdgau1) was determined by pcr-rflp markers that showed it to be a type ii strain. western blotting demonstrated the presence of igm antibodies to t. gondii suggesting the bitch was probably infected during pregnancy and the t. gondii was transmitted to the pups congenita ...200919556061
serum feline pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity concentration and seroprevalences of antibodies against toxoplasma gondii and bartonella species in client-owned cats.feline pancreatitis is a commonly suspected illness and it has been proposed that some cases of feline pancreatitis may be caused by infection with toxoplasma gondii or bartonella species. feline pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (fpli) is a test performed on serum that is commonly combined with other clinical findings as an indirect aid in the diagnosis of pancreatitis. the purpose of this study was to determine if there are associations between fpli concentration and the presence of serum ant ...200919560385
genetic characterization of toxoplasma gondii isolates from china.toxoplasma gondii infections are prevalent in humans and animals worldwide. in north america and europe, t. gondii is highly clonal, consisting of three distinct lineages (types i, ii and iii), whereas in south america, t. gondii is highly diverse with a few lineages expanded in the population. however, there is limited data on the diversity of t. gondii in asia. here we report the genetic characterization of t. gondii isolates from different hosts and geographical locations in china using the m ...200919567233
seroprevalence of and risk factors for toxoplasma gondii in sheep raised in the jaboticabal microregion, são paulo state, brazil.seroprevalence of and risk factors for toxoplasmosis in sheep from different properties in the jaboticabal microregion, são paulo state, brazil were determined. antibodies to toxoplasma gondii were found in sera of 52.0% of 488 sheep tested by indirect fluorescent antibody test (ifat > or =64). t. gondii seropositivity in sheep was significantly associated with gender of the sheep, pasturing system, contact with cats, and the use of mineral supplements and the type of feed.201019589550
identification of faecal transmission of toxoplasma gondii: small science, large characters.the first clue to the elucidation of the complete life cycle of toxoplasma gondii was the identification of an infectious form in cat faeces that could be transmitted orally and could survive in the external environment for extended periods. this personal review describes the scientist (w.m. hutchison) and the background to the initial discovery and covers the period to the complete elucidation of the life cycle of t. gondii.200919596630
experimental infection of pregnant queens with two major brazilian clonal lineages of toxoplasma gondii.toxoplasma gondii isolates from brazil are biologically and genetically different from european and north america isolates. recently, four genotypes were considered the common clonal lineages in brazil and were designated as types bri, brii, briii, and briv. the pathogenicity of two major brazilian lineages was investigated after oral inoculation of queens in the middle third of their pregnancies with t. gondii cysts. twelve pregnant queens without t. gondii antibodies were distributed in group ...200919629528
history of the discovery of the life cycle of toxoplasma gondii.it has been 100 years since the discovery of toxoplasma gondii in 1908. its full life cycle was not discovered until 1970 when it was found that it is a coccidian parasite of cats with all non-feline warm blooded animals (including humans) as intermediate hosts. the discovery of the environmentally resistant stage of the parasite, the oocyst, made it possible to explain its worldwide prevalence. in the present paper, events associated with the discovery of its life cycle are recalled.200919630138
toxoplasma gondii: 25 years and 25 major advances for the field.this article is an attempt to identify the most significant highlights of toxoplasma research over the last 25 years. it has been a period of enormous progress and the top 25 most significant advances, in the view of this author, are described. these range from the bench to the bedside and represent a tremendous body of work from countless investigators. and, having laid out so much that has been discovered, it is impossible not to also reflect on the challenges that lie ahead. these, too, are b ...200919630140
risk factors for toxoplasma gondii infection in the united states.toxoplasmosis can cause severe ocular and neurological disease. we sought to determine risk factors for toxoplasma gondii infection in the united states.200919663709
seroprevalence of toxoplasma gondii and neospora caninum in feral cats (felis silvestris catus) in majorca, balearic islands, spain.felids are important in the epidemiology of toxoplasma gondii infection because they are the only hosts that can excrete environmentally resistant oocysts. antibodies to t. gondii and neospora caninum were determined in serum samples from 59 feral cats (felis silvestris catus) captured in baited traps during authorized predator control campaigns in majorca, balearic islands, spain. antibodies to t. gondii assayed by the modified agglutination test (mat) were found in 50 (84.7%) of 59 cats with m ...200919665309
genetic diversity of toxoplasma gondii in animals and humans.toxoplasma gondii is one of the most widespread parasites of domestic, wild, and companion animals, and it also commonly infects humans. toxoplasma gondii has a complex life cycle. sexual development occurs only in the cat gut, while asexual replication occurs in many vertebrate hosts. these features combine to create an unusual population structure. the vast majority of strains in north america and europe fall into three recently derived, clonal lineages known as types i, ii and iii. recent stu ...200919687043
atypical toxoplasma gondii genotypes identified in oocysts shed by cats in germany.a total of 18,259 feline faecal samples from cats in germany were collected and analysed for the presence of toxoplasma gondii oocysts between june 2007 and december 2008. the proportion of t. gondii-positive samples collected between january and june was significantly lower than between july and december. the age of cats shedding t. gondii oocysts was not significantly different from the age of negative control cats. forty-six t. gondii-positive samples were genetically characterised using nine ...201019695254
infectivity of toxoplasma gondii in northern traditional (country) foods prepared with meat from experimentally infected seals.serological and clinical evidence of human toxoplasmosis in the canadian arctic indicates a food safety risk associated with the consumption of wild game meat. such meat often is eaten raw or partially cooked in locally prepared traditional (country) foods, but no data have been collected to describe survival of toxoplasma gondii forms in these foods. the muscle of grey seals (halichoerus grypus) experimentally infected with t. gondii oocysts was used to prepare three country foods: igunaq, a fe ...200919722415
toxoplasma gondii: prototype immunization of lambs against formation of muscle and brain cysts.nine lambs were immunized with 10(6) oocysts of the relatively avirulent me-49 strain of toxoplasma gondii, and were challenged 45 days later with 4 x 10(6) oocysts of the m3 strain of this parasite. less than 5 tissue cysts of the m3 strain formed per 8 g of muscle - if any - judging from a bioassay in mice in which all mice survived. in contrast, mortality occurred in mice fed muscle specimens from 4 lambs that had not been immunized with me-49 prior to challenge with the m3 strain. this findi ...200919729248
infection with toxoplasma gondii during pregnancy: seroepidemiological studies in austria.seropositivity among pregnant woman in austria has decreased from 48% to 50% at the end of the 1970s to 35% in recent years. despite this decrease, knowledge of possible sources and risk factors for toxoplasma infection remains important. we reviewed seroepidemiological studies that were undertaken to assess the roles of undercooked meat and oocysts in cat faeces as potential sources of infection in pregnant women. improved management and hygiene in pig herds raised in confinement have resulted ...201019744300
toxoplasmosis prevention and testing in pregnancy, survey of obstetrician-gynaecologists.toxoplasmosis in pregnant women can lead to congenital disease with severe neurological and ocular complications in the foetus. in 2006, we surveyed us obstetrician-gynaecologists to determine their knowledge and practices about toxoplasmosis prevention and testing. questionnaires were mailed (four mailings) to a random sample of 1200 of the 33,354 members of the american college of obstetricians and gynecologists (acog). of the 1200 surveyed, 502 (42%) responded. the respondents were similar to ...201019744302
a brief history and overview of toxoplasma gondii.toxoplasma gondii was discovered by scientists working in north africa and brazil around 100 years ago. the parasite has since been found to be capable of infecting all warm-blooded animals including humans making it one of the most successful parasitic organisms worldwide. the pathogenic potential of t. gondii was recognized in the 1920s and 1930s, in congenitally infected children presenting with the classic triad of symptoms, namely hydrocephalus, retinochoroiditis and encephalitis. in additi ...201019744303
toxoplasma gondii infections in chickens (gallus domesticus): prevalence, clinical disease, diagnosis and public health significance.chickens are considered one of the most important hosts in the epidemiology of toxoplasma gondii infection because they are an efficient source of infection for cats that excrete the environmentally resistant oocysts and because humans may become infected with this parasite after eating undercooked infected chicken meat. the objective of this study is to review worldwide prevalence of t. gondii infection in chickens and to assess the role of infected chickens in the epidemiology of toxoplasmosis ...201019744305
cats and toxoplasma: implications for public health.cats are popular as pets worldwide because they are easy to care for and provide companionship that enriches the lives of human beings. little attention has been focused on their potential to contaminate the environment with zoonotic pathogens. one such pathogen, the protozoan parasite toxoplasma gondii, rarely causes clinical manifestations in cats or immunocompetent humans; however, it can have serious adverse effects on human foetuses and immunocompromised patients. many human infections are ...201019744306
evidence for high levels of vertical transmission in toxoplasma gondii.toxoplasma gondii is a highly ubiquitous and prevalent parasite. despite the cat being the only definitive host, it is found in almost all geographical areas and warm blooded animals. three routes of transmission are recognised: ingestion of oocysts shed by the cat, carnivory and congenital transmission. in natural populations, it is difficult to establish the relative importance of these routes. this paper reviews recent work in our laboratory which suggests that congenital transmission may be ...200919765335
[occurrence of antibodies and risk factors for infection for toxoplasma gondii in dogs in the cities of lages and balneário camboriú, santa catarina state, brazil].the aim of this study was to identify the occurrence of antibodies and risk factors for infection for toxoplasma gondii in dogs in the cities of lages and balneário camboriú, santa catarina state, brazil. blood samples from 400 domiciliated dogs were processed for antibody detection against t. gondii by indirect immunofuorescence antibody test (ifat). the following variables were obtained by questionnaire: breed, age, sex, diet, environment, presence of cats and street access. a chi-square test ...200919772776
toxoplasmosis among pregnant women in qualyobia governorate, egypt.this study was conducted between august 2007 and october 2008 to identify the sero-prevalence of toxoplasma gondii among pregnant women of different ages and stages of gestation. latex agglutination test was used as screening test. elisa-igg & igm tests measured for the toxo-latex positive cases to identify toxoplasmosis clinical status. the results indicated that the prevalence of t. gondii among pregnant women was relatively high in the rural (57.6%) than urban (46.5%) areas. the positivity wa ...200919795746
cross-sectional survey of toxoplasma gondii infection in colony cats from urban florence (italy).cats are the key species in the epidemiology of toxoplasma gondii infection, even if the proportion of subjects excreting oocysts is low. the aim of the present paper was to obtain information about seroprevalence, oocyst shedding rate and presence of t gondii dna in faeces collected from an urban population of colony cats in florence (tuscany). fifty european shorthair feral cats were examined for anti-t gondii specific antibodies by a modified agglutination test (mat), and for oocysts by micro ...201019811938
toxoplasma and schizophrenia.research on infectious agents as a possible cause of schizophrenia has become prominent in the past decade. toxoplasma gondii has emerged as a prime candidate for a variety of reasons; (i) many studies have reported that individuals with schizophrenia, compared to controls, have a higher prevalence of antibodies to t. gondii, (ii) some individuals with adult toxoplasmosis develop psychotic symptoms similar to those of schizophrenia, (iii) epidemiologically, there are many similarities between to ...200919825110
cervical lymphadenitis in a patient coinfected with toxoplasma gondii and bartonella henselae.cat scratch disease, caused by bartonella henselae, is a worldwide zoonosis that is most frequently associated with the bite or scratch of a kitten under 6 months of age, as well as from a fleabite. toxoplsma gondii is also another important zoonotic agent in cats and humans, which is mainly acquired by ingestion of food or water that is contaminated with oocytes shed by cats or by eating undercooked or raw meat containing tissue cysts. here, we report a first case of young patient with cervical ...201019874186
primary culture of intestinal epithelial cells as a potential model for toxoplasma gondii enteric cycle studies.the primary culture of intestinal epithelial cells from domestic cats is an efficient cellular model to study the enteric cycle of toxoplasma gondii in a definitive host. the parasite-host cell ratio can be pointed out as a decisive factor that determines the intracellular fate of bradyzoites forms. the development of the syncytial-like forms of t. gondii was observed using the 1:20 bradyzoite-host cell ratio, resulting in similar forms described in in vivo systems. this alternative study potent ...200919876557
toxoplasma gondii and neospora caninum in sparrows (passer domesticus) in the northeast of brazil.toxoplasma gondii is a cosmopolitan protozoan parasite of warm-blooded animals that causes high rates of infection in mammals and birds. sparrows (passer domesticus) are synantropic birds which are distributed worldwide. they serve as intermediate hosts for the parasite but are quite resistant to toxoplasmosis. the aims of this study were to determine the frequency of t. gondii infection in sparrows using serologic and molecular tests, and to investigate related parasites, such as neospora canin ...201019879051
factors affecting seroprevalence of toxoplasma gondii in the endangered iberian lynx (lynx pardinus).wild felids are considered important in maintaining the sylvatic cycle of toxoplasma gondii. although, t. gondii antibodies have been reported in several species of wild felids, little is known of the epidemiology and risk factors associated with t. gondii infection in wild cats. the iberian lynx (lynx pardinus) is the most endangered felid species in the world. in the present study, seroprevalence and associated risk factors for t. gondii infection in a large population of iberian lynx in spain ...201019879052
obtaining highly purified toxoplasma gondii oocysts by a discontinuous cesium chloride gradient.toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan pathogen that commonly infects humans. it is a well characterized apicomplexan associated with causing food- and water-borne disease outbreaks. the definitive host is the feline species where sexual replication occurs resulting in the development of the highly infectious and environmentally resistant oocyst. infection occurs via ingestion of tissue cysts from contaminated meat or oocysts from soil or water. infection is typically asymptoma ...200919888193
toxoplasmosis and other intestinal coccidial infections in cats and dogs.toxoplasma gondii and related coccidians are intracellular protozoan parasites. coccidia are obligate intracellular parasites normally found in the intestinal tract. virtually all warm blooded animals, including humans are commonly infected with coccidians. this article reviews the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of infections in cats and dogs related to isospora spp, toxoplasma gondii, and neospora caninum. much remains to be learned concerning the pathogenesis of clinical coccidiosis.200919932360
local meteorological conditions, dynamics of seroconversion to toxoplasma gondii in cats (felis catus) and oocyst burden in a rural environment.the aim of this study was to analyse the spatio-temporal dynamics of toxoplasma gondii infection in long-term monitoring of domestic cats (8-15 years) in three populations living in rural france. overall seroprevalence was 52.7% (modified agglutination test > or =1:40). incidence was 0.26-0.39 seroconversions/cat per year, and the estimated rate of soil contamination by t. gondii oocysts ranged between 31 and 3600 oocysts/m2 per year, depending on the population. incidence risk in cats was relat ...201019961642
genotype of toxoplasma gondii from blood of stray cats in gyeonggi-do, korea.genotyping of toxoplasma gondii has been performed in 23 pcr positive blood samples from stray cats in korea. we used 2 separate pcr-restriction fragment length polymorphism (rflp) patterns of sag2 gene, amplifying the 5' and 3' ends of the locus. the results revealed that all samples belonged to the type i clonal lineage. although t. gondii organisms were not isolated from the samples, the results of the present study represent that stray cats with t. gondii infection should be seriously concer ...200919967093
epidemiological study of toxoplasma gondii infection in ovine breeding.an outbreak of toxoplasmosis occurring in a typical farm of 524 ovines was monitored for 1 year after the occurrence of 31 abortions. abortion events involved 7.2% of 430 pregnant sheep. presence of antibodies to toxoplasma gondii in sheep sera was investigated by the indirect fluorescence antibody test (ifat). a total of 422 ewes were bled four times during the year, and an epidemiological analysis was performed on all serology data collected in this subgroup. the prevalence of igg positives ra ...201019968848
ovine toxoplasmosis.congenital infection with toxoplasma gondii is an important cause of abortion in sheep worldwide. the cat is the definitive host of the parasite, and infected cats may shed millions of oocysts in their faeces resulting in extensive environmental contamination and an important source of infection for grazing herbivorous animals. studies looking at development of specific antibodies in sheep, as an indicator of exposure to t. gondii, have shown that there is an increase in seroprevalence associate ...200919995468
long-term survival of toxoplasma gondii sporulated oocysts in seawater.toxoplasma gondii is now recognized as an important pathogen in costal marine mammals. oocysts from cat feces are believed to be washed into seawater and serve as a source of infection via transport hosts. experimentally, it has been demonstrated that t. gondii oocysts can sporulate in seawater and remain infectious for mice for up to 6 mo. the present study examined the long-term survival of t. gondii in seawater (15 ppt nacl) kept at 4 c or at room temperature. oocysts kept at 4 c for 24 mo we ...200920050010
[zoonotic parasites of cats and dogs found in playground sandboxes in the reykjavik area, iceland.]recent surveys on the parasites of household cats and dogs in iceland have revealed the zoonotic protozoans cryptosporidium parvwn and toxoplasma gondii and the zoonotic nematodes toxocara cati and t. canis. furthermore, a giardia sp., recently found in cats in iceland, is also suspected to be a zoonotic parasite. in iceland children frequently play in open sandboxes commonly found at kindergartens, in public areas or in private gardens. during the cold months of the year, when the soil is frequ ...199620065440
use of protein ag in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for serodiagnosis of toxoplasma gondii infection in four species of animals.an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (elisa) employing protein ag (ag-elisa) as a conjugate was developed to detect anti-toxoplasma gondii antibodies (ab) in experimentally infected pigs and naturally infected pigs, goats, dogs, and cats. the results indicate that ag-elisa can be a useful method for serological diagnosis of t. gondii infection in these four species of animals.201020071493
[serological study on toxoplasmosis among pregnant women from franceville, gabon].the serological prevalence of toxoplasma gondii was studied among 839 pregnant women in two hospitals from franceville (gabon), between may 2007 and december 2007. specific t gondii igg and igm were measured by enzyme linked fluorescent assay (elfa). datation of the infection was carried out by avidity test. fifty-six percent of women in this study were immunised compare to the 71% who were found as immunised in a previous study carried out fifteen years ago. 2.6% were found to be igm positive. ...201020084487
seroprevalence and factors associated with toxoplasma gondii infection in wild boar ( sus scrofa) in a mediterranean island.knowledge of the factors affecting the presence of toxoplasma gondii in wildlife is limited. here we analyse which local landscape characteristics are associated with the presence of toxoplasmosis in wild boar, sus scrofa, on the island of corsica, france. meat juice samples from 1399 wild boars collected during two hunting seasons were tested for t. gondii antibodies using the modified agglutination test (titre 1:4). the overall seroprevalence was 0.55 (95% ci 0.50-0.59) for the first year and ...201020096148
a prospective study of toxoplasma-positive pregnant women in southern brazil: a health alert.we evaluated anti-toxoplasma gondii igm-reactive pregnant women seen at a high-risk pregnancy outpatient clinic. from march 2005 to january 2008 in paraná, brazil, pregnant women seen by the brazilian public health system, in any gestational period, who were anti-t. gondii igm-positive, were followed. clinical symptoms were noted, and tests performed including iga, igg avidity, ultrasonogram, and amniocentesis (pcr/inoculation in mice). of 75 patients, 8 showed low, 3 intermediate and 31 high ig ...201020138322
the role of dna microarrays in toxoplasma gondii research, the causative agent of ocular toxoplasmosis.ocular toxoplasmosis, which is caused by the protozoan parasite toxoplasma gondii, is the leading cause of retinochoroiditis. toxoplasma is an obligate intracellular pathogen that replicates within a parasitophorous vacuole. infections are initiated by digestion of parasites deposited in cat feces or in undercooked meat. parasites then disseminate to target tissues that include the retina where they then develop into long-lived asymptomatic tissue cysts. occasionally, cysts reactivate and growth ...200920157353
seroprevalence and risk factors associated with toxoplasma gondii infection in pig farms from catalonia, north-eastern spain.seroprevalence and associated risk factors for toxoplasma gondii infection in pigs were analyzed in 1202 sera samples, including sows and pigs of three, seven, 11, 15 and 20 weeks of age, from 23 farms in catalonia, north-eastern spain. antibodies were tested by the modified agglutination test (mat) at titers > or =1:25. antibodies to t. gondii were found in 228 samples (19.0%; 95% ci: 16.8-21.2). the individual prevalence in animals higher than 7 weeks of age was 22.8% (174/762; 95% ci: 16.6-29 ...201020189210
toxoplasma gondii: epidemiology, feline clinical aspects, and prevention.toxoplasma gondii is a parasite of birds and mammals. cats are the only definitive host and thus the only source of infective oocysts, but other mammals and birds can develop tissue cysts. although feline infections are typically asymptomatic, infection during human pregnancy can cause severe disease in the fetus. cat owners can reduce their pets' exposure risk by keeping all cats indoors and not feeding them raw meat. humans usually become infected through ingestion of oocyst-contaminated soil ...201020202907
seroprevalence and associated risk factors of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women in hebron district, palestine.to measure the prevalence of toxoplasmosis, we tested 204 pregnant women for igg and igm antibodies to toxoplasma gondii using an enzyme-linked immunoassay. the study was conducted in hebron district during the year 2005. the seroprevalence of igg antibodies to t. gondii was 27.9% from rural areas (36.8%) had igg antibodies to t. gondii than urban women (21.4%). possible routes of infection were contaminated soil, drinking rainwater and eating raw vegetables rather than eating uncooked meat or c ...200920214142
conventional and molecular diagnostic testing for the acute neurologic patient.the aim of this review is to describe and evaluate both conventional and molecular diagnostic testing utilized in dogs and cats with acute neurologic diseases. various types of polymerase chain reaction (pcr) are explored along with novel molecular diagnostic testing that ultimately may prove useful in the critical care setting.201020230434
modeling toxoplasmosis spread in cat populations under vaccination.in this paper we present an epidemiological model to study the transmission dynamics of toxoplasmosis in a cat population under a continuous vaccination schedule. we explore the dynamics of toxoplasmosis at the population level using a mathematical model that includes the effect of oocyst, since the probability of acquisition of toxoplasma gondii infection depends on the environmental load of the parasite. this model considers indirectly the infection of prey through the oocyst shedding by cats. ...201020304000
seroprevalence of toxoplasma gondii in nazareth town, ethiopia.to determine seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis, assess its zoonotic importance and identify factors associated with seroprevalence.200720353125
seroprevalence of toxoplasma antibodies among individuals tested at hospitals and private laboratories in beirut.toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease of worldwide distribution. infection with toxoplasma gondii can result in debilitating disease especially in the immunocompromized host and pregnant women. determination of its seroprevalence and risk factors have been studied in many countries as a mean to understand its epidemiology and implement control measures. the scarcity of information on t. gondii infection in lebanon warranted studying the toxoplasma antibody findings among individuals tested at diff ...201020358853
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